Audible, reusable, illuminated skeet target

ABSTRACT

A metallic skeet target comprises a substantially disc-shaped body that is suitable for launching via a trap or other launching device. The metallic skeet target can be used more than once because it will not break in to multiple pieces like a traditional skeet target and because it is made of metal, it can give audible confirmation to the shooter that the target was indeed hit. The metallic skeet target may also be illuminated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/547,510 filed Nov. 19, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,029, filed Nov. 19, 2013 and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/906,042, filed Nov. 19, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a metallic skeet target and, more specifically, to a skeet target that is made of aluminum, tantalum or combinations thereof, and gives a ringing sound when hit. Such a skeet target has the ability to be used more than once and will give the shooter audible confirmation that the target was hit. In further embodiments, the skeet target is also illuminated by chemiluminescence. Such a skeet target is better illuminated for shooting during dusk or dark conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many avid sportsmen which enjoy target shooting, whether for honing their accuracy in preparation for hunting season or the enjoyment of target sports itself. In this sport, saucer-shaped targets (also called skeet targets) are launched from a manual or automated thrower such that they fly or roll out in front of a shooter. The shooter then attempts to hit the target passing by with a round from a shot gun. The target may be presented at various angles with respect to its travel so as to simulate any of a number of hunted animals.

Historically, these targets, also known as skeet clays pigeons, have been fabricated from a mixture of cool tar (“pitch”) and limestone powder. When left to degrade in the environment, these targets have the potential of releasing hazardous substances. Specifically, the pitch dust resulting in the disintegration of the target has the potential to infiltrate into the water and through the plants, as well as being ingested by animals and humans. Likewise, larger pieces of the target which disintegrate more slowly accumulate and remain within the environment.

The traditional skeet clay pigeons also have the tendency to sometimes break just from the sheer force of being thrown from the launcher. When that happens, the shooter has no way of knowing if the skeet clay pigeon was broken because the shooter struck the target, or because it simply broke from the force of being thrown from the launcher. Traditional targets can also only be used once because once they are hit, the skeet target breaks into many little pieces.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a skeet target that is made from more environmentally-safe materials, such as metal, that can be used more than once and that can give audible confirmation to the shooter that the target was indeed hit.

In addition to the above, it is known that new twists on traditional sports have sparked a resurgence in participation. For example, a twist on bowling is the use of luminescent pins instituted in alleys for “glow-in-the-dark” games. Another example is the indoor “glow-in-the-dark” miniature golf courses that utilize a means to illuminate golf balls and the associated holes or cups. Similar efforts have been made to adapt activities performed during the day-time, more suitable for evening play. For example, many golf-courses now offer “glow-in-the-dark” golf during nighttime hours. The concept of playing these sports in dark conditions is strikingly imaginative because they all require precision and accuracy to engage an illuminated target.

Skeet shooting is also a sport that requires a precise and an accurate shot and, therefore, it is commonly played during daylight because dusk or darker lighting conditions make the skeet target less visible. In contrast to the bowling pins and golf balls/holes, a skeet target, or “clay pigeon,” is a moving target that reaches approximately 90 mph. For this reason, the sport of skeet shooting has not yet adapted a means for illuminating the skeet target so as to enable skeet shooting at dusk or nighttime. However, with respect to current “glow-in-the-dark” activities to date, any innovation in illumination as associated with firearms has been directed toward “tracers” or otherwise illuminating the ammunition, and not the target. Such innovations are meaningless in the sport of skeet shooting as only a single shot, or perhaps two, are ever directed toward a single target. Under such circumstances, tracing the fired ammunition is not of any value or benefit.

Chemiluminescence is the emission of light with limited emission of heat (luminescence), as a result of a chemical reaction. Given two reactants, A and B, with an excited intermediate, light is produced. For example, if one reactant is luminol and another reactant is hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a suitable catalyst, then there can be produced an excited intermediate that fluoresces as it decays to a lower energy level.

The use of chemiluminescence is known to illuminate certain objects. However, while it has been used to illuminate objects that are thrown or otherwise fly through the air, it has not been used to illuminate targets that fly through the air. There have been previous attempts at solving this problem, such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,434,765; however such methods require the use of at least two adjacent targets, which is not as desirable as the use of a single target.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an illuminated and preferably, chemiluminscent, skeet target that can be used when ambient lighting conditions are not sufficient to otherwise see the skeet target. In addition, there is a need for an illuminated trap from which a skeet target is launched into the air to enable one to see the skeet target prior to its launch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention may be provided for a skeet target of the type launched in the air for the purpose of being shot with a projectile, the skeet target comprising a reusable, disc-shaped target shell made of metal so as to provide an audible ringing sound when struck by the projectile. The metallic disc-shaped target shell may be made of a metal selected from aluminum, tantalum, steel, and combinations thereof.

In one or more embodiments, the entire skeet target is made of metal. In one or more other embodiments, the entire target shell is made of metal.

In one or more embodiments, the target shell may include an upper surface and a lower surface, and the skeet target may further comprise an elevated ridge that extends about an outer circumference of the upper surface of the target shell to assist in stacking of the skeet target with other like skeet targets. The elevated ridge may be made from a non-metal selected from an acrylic, a fluorescent plastic, a luminous nylon, or a light absorption material. The elevated ridge may include at least one portion that is coated with a surface layer having a refractive index that absorbs light.

In one or more embodiments, the target shell may include indicia containing a number to identify the target shell.

In one or more embodiments, the skeet target may include an illumination device. In one embodiment, the illumination device may be a light source selected from LED lights and HID lights. In another embodiment, the illumination device may be a birdie. In yet another embodiment, the illumination device may be provided within the volume of the target shell such that a chemiluminscent reaction may occur upon launch of the skeet target into the air.

It will be appreciated that the illumination device may be in operative communication with the elevated ridge, so as to provide illumination to the elevated ridge.

Further, it will be appreciated that in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the illumination device is activated upon launch from a trap containing one or more targets. Where the illumination device is the volume of space within the target shell for a chemiluminscent reaction to occur, there is a thin liner separating the two chemicals that will provide the chemiluminscent reacant. Upon and just prior to launch of the skeet target, the thin liner is punctured by the force of the launch so that the chemical reaction occurs while the skeet target is being launched. In other embodiments, the thin liner is punctured before launch so that the chemical reaction occurs prior to launch of the skeet target. In either instance, it will be appreciated that, when the skeet target is launched from the trap, the skeet target illuminates to become visible to a shooter.

More specifically, with respect to the chemiluminescent reaction, the illuminated skeet target may include a first volume of a first chemical and a second volume of a second chemical within the target shell. The first volume is separated from the second volume by a barrier or thin liner. The first chemical is a first reagent, typically in the presence of a catalyst, and the second chemical is a second reagent, and the first reagent and the second reagent undergo a chemiluminescent reaction and emit light when mixed.

Advantageously, the present invention teaches a reusable, audible and illuminated skeet target that provides a means for a skeet shooter to participate in the sport during dusk, or other conditions where ambient light is not sufficient to identify the skeet target. By illuminating the skeet target, rather than the ammunition used to shot at it, the user can shoot into the dark (perhaps from a lighted location) toward the visually illuminated skeet target.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an illuminated metallic skeet target in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an illuminated metallic skeet target in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the metallic skeet target with attached illuminated birdie in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an illuminated trap used to launch the skeet target in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illuminated skeet target in accordance with further aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented side view of the illuminated skeet target depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an illuminated skeet target in accordance with further aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmented side view of the illuminated skeet target depicted in FIG. 6.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a metallic skeet target 10 so that a sportsman may be given audible confirmation that the skeet 10 has been hit and so that the sportsman has the ability to use the skeet 10 more than once. For the purposes of the following discussion, the term “skeet target” is defined herein as any skeet or other suitable target that can be launched in the air for the purpose of being shot at with a projectile, such as a bullet from a gun. Furthermore, the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,124,550; 6,085,427; 7,174,904; and 8,434,765 are incorporated herein by reference. A metallic skeet target 10 comprises a disc-shaped shell 11 having an upper surface 12 that is opposite a lower surface 13, as shown in FIGS. 1A-B. Although the target 10 and particularly its shell 11 is shown as being substantially disc-shaped, it may be formed as any shape suitable for launching into the air. In one embodiment, the skeet target 10 maintains an elevated or raised ridge 14 that extends about an outer circumference of the upper surface 12 of the skeet target 10. In other words, the elevated ridge 14 may circumscribe or partially circumscribe the upper surface 12 of the target 10. However, it should be appreciated that the ridge 14 may be arranged in any desired position upon the upper surface 12 of the shell 11. In one embodiment, such as the one shown in FIG. 1B, the elevated ridge 14 assists in the stacking of the skeet targets 10, and also increases the aerodynamics of the skeet targets 10.

Continuing, the skeet target 10 may be manufactured from any suitable metal, such as but not limited to aluminum, tantalum, steel or combinations thereof. In addition, it should also be appreciated that the target 10 may take on any desired color, such as black for example. The fact that the skeet target 10 will be made of metal gives it a number of desirable traits. The most desirable trait is that because the skeet target will be made of metal, when it is struck by a projectile, such as a bullet from a gun, it will resonate with an audible ringing sound, so that the sportsman can confirm that the skeet target 10 was indeed hit. Furthermore, because the skeet target 10 is made of metal, it can be numbered so as to more easily keep track of the skeet target 10. Historically, skeet targets were not made of metal and therefore did not have these advantages because when launched or shot at, they broke into pieces, giving no means to number the skeet or to have audible confirmation of a hit.

It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide an illuminated metallic skeet target 10 so that a Sportsman may skeet shoot in the evening or at night, or any other time when ambient lighting is not sufficient to see the skeet target 10. In one embodiment, the entirety of the skeet target 10 is made of metal, such as aluminum, tantalum, steel, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the shell 11 of the skeet target 10 may be partially made of metal. For example, the elevated ridge 14 can be manufactured from an acrylic, fluorescent plastic, a luminous nylon or another material that possesses a light absorption and light guidance capability. Portions of the circumferential surface of the elevated ridge 14 may be coated with a surface layer 15 having a refractive index, such that ambient light may be absorbed through portions and substantially reflected, (i.e. mirrored), inside the ridge 14. The ambient light is directed to the remaining portions of the surface layer 15 that is not coated. The light is then emitted through the non-coated portions 16 of the ridge 14. The coated and non-coated portions 16 may be alternating (as shown in FIG. 1A) or they may be layered (as shown in FIG. 1B).

In another aspect, the skeet target 10 may maintain an illumination device 17 or light source to enable the skeet target 110 to be illuminated. For example, the illumination device 17 may comprise any suitable incandescent, electroluminescent, or gas-discharge based lighting source, including but not limited to LED (light emitting diodes) lights, HID (high intensity discharge) lights, and the like. In addition, the illumination device 17 may be powered by any suitable power source 18, such as a battery. Furthermore, the skeet target 10 may be formed, coated, or otherwise treated with any suitable luminescent material so as to illuminate the skeet target 10. In addition, the skeet target 10 may be configured such that only a portion or the entire portion of the skeet target 10 is illuminated. The skeet target 10 may also be configured so that it transitions between illuminated and non-illuminated states depending on whether the target 10 is launched in the air or is awaiting launch. It is also contemplated that the illumination of the target may be controlled to be on or off by any suitable switching device and/or suitable control device. It should also be appreciated that the illumination device 17 may be configured so that it flashes on and off in accordance with any suitable sequence.

FIG. 2 shows an illuminated indicator or birdie 20 according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein the birdie 20 trails the skeet target 10. Essentially, a light-absorbent, acrylic birdie 20 displays or follows the flight path of the skeet target 10 launched from a trap. It is envisioned that the birdie 20 is of a minimal size relative to that of the skeet target 10 so as to not take away from the challenge of shooting it down. The birdie 20 is alternatively coated with a surface layer having a refractive index such that ambient light is absorbed through the surface, reflected inside the target and then emitted through a non-coated portion of the target. It should also be appreciated that the birdie 20 may also be configured to include the illumination device, and/or be configured with luminescent material as previously discussed with regard to the skeet target 10, and/or may be configured to include chemiluminescent reactants as discussed below.

FIG. 3 shows a portion of a trap 30 that is used to launch the skeet target 10 into the air. In particular, the skeet targets 10 are stacked in substantially vertical columns 32 prior to their being launched by the trap 30. It is anticipated that one or a plurality of light sources 34 travels a length of the interior wall 36 of the column 32. At the times when an illuminated skeet target 10 is desired, the light source 34 is activated by the shooter to emit the light absorbed by the acrylic portions of a skeet target 10.

Chemiluminescence can be activated in any of a number of ways as discussed below. The launcher can be mechanical or electronic, movable or immovable, rotatable or non-rotatable, and of any size suitable for use.

During operation of the trap 30, the skeet targets 10 remain within the columns 32 until a skeet target 10 is launched. When ambient lighting is not sufficient to effectively illuminate the skeet target 10, a means, such as a switch, is activated so that the column 32 that contains the skeet target 10 is illuminated by a suitable light source, such as light source 34, which may comprise that discussed with regard to the illumination device 17 previously discussed. The ambient light is absorbed through the partially coated surface of the trap 30 so that the ambient light is completely reflected inside the trap 30. The absorbed light is then emitted through the non-coated portions of the skeet target 10. The trap 30 launches the skeet target 10 substantially simultaneously as the light is absorbed so that it is emitted through the non-coated portions 16 of the target 10 as it travels through the air. In this manner, the skeet target 10 illuminates to become more visible to a shooter.

It should also be appreciated that the trap 30 used to launch the skeet target 10 may be configured so that a suitable light source (not shown) illuminates the skeet target 10 before it is launched, while it is being loaded.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a skeet target 100 is shown and may be substantially disc-shaped and of any type or shape useful in the target shooting arts. Target 100 includes a shell 102 having an upper surface 104 and a lower surface 106. An empty volume space 108 is defined between upper surface 104 and lower surface 106. Volume space 108 contains one reagent to a chemiluminscent reaction, and optionally one or more of a catalyst and dye. A portion of the shell 102 may be formed of a generally translucent acrylic composition that generally allows for the transmission of light through the shell 102. Alternatively, the shell 102 may be substantially metallic, except for one portion of the upper and/or lower surface 104, 106 of the shell 102, which can be translucent so as to allow the chemiluminescent reaction to be seen. One or more thin liners 110 can be positioned within volume space 108, and in at least one embodiment, are situated in the region of the elevated ridge portion 112 of target 100. Each thin liner 110 is constructed of a frangible material and defined between each thin liner 110 is a pouch area 114 within it volume containing a second reagent to a chemiluminescent reaction, and optionally one or more of a catalyst and dye. Thin liners 110 initially serve as a barrier between the two reagents, but because it of its construction may be broken, thereby allowing the two reagents to come into contact. A user may break thin liners 110 in any number of ways, including for example, by the force of the launch of the target 100. The inertia and reaction propulsion that results from the launch of the skeet target 100 causes the thin liners to break. When the thin liners 110 are broken and the two reagents are brought into contact and mix, a chemiluminescent reaction is initiated and light is emitted. The partially translucent construction of shell 102 allows the light to be transmitted outside target 100 and perceived by a user. Advantageously, a user will perceive the light when viewing either the upper surface 104 or the lower surface 106.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, metallic skeet target 120 is shown and includes a portion that is not metallic and that can be illuminated by a chemiluminescent reaction. Target 120 has a shell 122 that is substantially disc-shaped and or of any type or shape useful in the target shooting arts. Shell 122 includes a metal portion 124 and an insert 126, which is situated in the region of, and forms a part of, an elevated ridge portion 128. In other embodiments, the insert may be positioned elsewhere to allow the selective illumination of any portion of the shell 122. Metal portion 124 may be constructed of aluminum, tantalum, steel and combinations thereof. Insert 126 defines within it an interior volume space 130. Volume space 130 contains one reagent to a chemiluminscent reaction, and optionally one or more of a catalyst and dye. A plurality of thin liners 132 are positioned within volume space 130. Each thin liner 132 is constructed of a frangible material and defines within it a pouch area 134 containing a second reagent to a chemiluminescent reaction, and optionally one or more of a catalyst and dye. In all critical respects, thin liner 132 is identical to and performs the same as thin liner 110, described above. Thin liner 132 initially serves as a barrier between the two reagents, but because it of its construction may be broken, thereby allowing the two reagents to come into contact. A user may break thin liners 132 in any number of ways, including for example, by the force of the launch of the target 120. The inertia and reaction propulsion of the launch causes the thin liners to break. When the thin liners 132 are broken and the two reagents are brought into contact and mix, a chemiluminescent reaction is initiated and light is emitted. All or a portion of the insert 126 may be formed of a generally translucent material or acrylic composition that generally allows for the transmission of light, thereby allowing the light to be transmitted outside insert 126 and perceived by a user.

In yet another embodiment, it will be appreciated that the illuminating device can be deployed on the lower surface of the target shell to be activated as best described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,434,765, incorporated herein by reference.

As discussed above, the skeet targets 110 and 120 may be selectively illuminated by chemiluminscence. Chemiluminescence refers to the emission of light with limited emission of heat as the result of a chemical reaction. Typically, when light is desired, two reagents are combined, often in the presence of a catalyst, and they react to form an excited intermediate composition. The excited intermediate composition decays into a lower energy state either through fluorescence or phosphorescence, depending on the intermediate composition. Chemiluniscent reactions are known, and the color of light emitted during the reaction may be controlled through the addition of dyes or other appropriate materials to the reagents. Non-limiting examples of known reagents that can have chemiluminescent reactions include: luminal, cyalume, oxalyl chloride, tetrakis(dimethlyamino)ethylene, and 1,2,3-trihydroxibenzene. Often, hydrogen peroxide is used as a second reagent in chemiluminescent reactions as an oxidizer. Non-limiting examples of dyes (also referred to as sensitizers) include: 9,10-diphenylanthracene (blue), 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (green), tetracene (yellow-green), 1-chloro-9,10-bi s(phenylethynyl)anthracene (yellow), 5,12-bis(phenylethynyl)naphthacene (orange), and rhodamine B (red). The light that is emitted as part of a chemiluminescent reaction persists at an intensity and for a period of time depending on the selection of the reagents. The selection of the reagents is within the skill of one in the art, but because the skeet target will be shot, non-toxic and biodegradable materials are preferred.

A chemiluminescent reaction may be initiated at any time for the skeet target. Advantageously, the chemiluminescent reaction may be initiated by the force of the launch of the target. It will be appreciated that in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the illumination device of the present invention may be activated upon launch from a trap containing one or more targets. Where the illumination device is within the volume of space of the target shell, the chemiluminescent reaction may occur by the puncture of the thin liner separating the two chemicals that will provide the chemiluminescent reaction. Upon and just prior to launch of the skeet target, the thin liner is punctured by the force of the launch so that the chemical reaction occurs while the skeet target is being launched. Such a reaction is caused by the propulsion of the skeet target being launched into the air at such a speed and with such momentum as to cause the mass volume of chemicals to be pushed against the thin liner, thereby breaking the thin liner and allowing the two chemicals to react with each other. In other embodiments, the thin liner is punctured before launch so that the chemical reaction occurs prior to launch of the skeet target. In either instance, it will be appreciated that, when the skeet target is launched from the trap, the skeet target illuminates to become visible to a shooter. Once launched, the illuminated skeet target provides an improved target for low-light shooting settings and may be shot by the shooter using any suitable ammunition, such as bird shot.

In light of the foregoing, it should thus be evident that the process of the present invention, providing a metallic skeet target, substantially improves the art. While, in accordance with the patent statutes, only the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, the present invention is not to be limited thereto or thereby. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reusing a skeet target of the type launched into the air, the method comprising: launching a disc-shaped skeet target having a target shell made of metal into the air; shooting the skeet target with a projectile so as to provide an audible ringing sound when struck by the projectile; collecting the skeet target after being struck by the projectile; and reusing the skeet target by relaunching the disc-shaped skeet target into the air for shooting the skeet target again.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic disc-shaped target shell is made of a metal selected from aluminum, tantalum, steel, and combinations thereof.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target shell includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the skeet target further comprises an elevated ridge that extends about an outer circumference of the upper surface of the target shell to assist in stacking of the skeet target with other like skeet targets.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the elevated ridge is made from a non-metal selected from an acrylic, a fluorescent plastic, a luminous nylon, or a light absorption material.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target shell is made completely of metal.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the target shell includes indicia containing a number to identify the target shell.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an illumination device attached to the target shell.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the illumination device is a light source selected from LED lights, HID lights, and a chemiluminescence reaction.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the illumination device is a birdie.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the illumination device is provided within the volume of the target shell such that a chemiluminescence reaction may occur upon launch of the skeet target into the air. 